Rangers’ Managerial Circus Ends with Danny Rohl’s Shock U-Turn
Multiple high-profile candidates rejected Rangers, leaving the club in limbo until Rohl’s surprising u-turn and acceptance days after rejecting the job.
Rangers have finally ended their protracted and tumultuous search for a new head coach with the appointment of Danny Rohl, the former Sheffield Wednesday manager, on an initial two-and-a-half-year deal. After a managerial saga that saw several top candidates reject the role, including Steven Gerrard and Kevin Muscat, Rohl, who initially rejected the job, performed a dramatic U-turn and agreed to take charge of the struggling Scottish Premiership club after every other name ahead of him were crossed off the list.
Rangers sacked Russell Martin at the start of October following a poor run of games securing just one win in eight league matches leaving them 6th in the league. The club then entered a chaotic period of searching for a successor. Gerrard withdrew, citing poor timing for his return, while talks with Kevin Muscat yesterday collapsing over recruitment control and budget concerns. Rohl had initially rejected the role when others appeared ahead of him, but after Muscat talks fell through, Rangers moved back quickly to secure Rohl after he did a u-turn. He will now take immediate charge of Rangers with his debut set for Thursday’s Europa League clash against Brann in Norway.
The 36-year-old has a notable coaching background - despite having a less than illustrious playing career in the German lower leagues lasting just three seasons - including stints with RB Leipzig, Southampton, Bayern Munich, and a spell with the German national team. His only managerial job came at Sheffield Wednesday, where he stabilised a club in crisis and helped them avoid relegation in his first season finishing 20th after taking them over in October 2023 when they were sitting rooted to the bottom of the Championship table. Last season he helped guide them to a 12th place finish in the league before they imploded in the final nine games of the season ending their chances of securing a playoff place.
Rohl himself has acknowledged the huge challenge and clear expectations at Rangers, but I don’t think he knows just how big a challenge he faces.
The appointment, however, has been met with mixed and largely skeptical reactions from Rangers fans. After the debacle of with Russell Martin’s tenure and the drawn-out, often embarrassing managerial search, goodwill toward the club’s new hierarchy has evaporated. Many supporters were hoping to see a marquee name like Gerrard return or trusted figures like Muscat take over to steady the ship. Instead, Rohl is perceived by some as an underwhelming choice who must prove himself with a similar level of player he had at Sheffield Wednesday, raising questions about whether he can handle the intense pressure of managing a club the size of Rangers - with a fan base who would turn on you quicker than the wind changes direction if results don’t go their way.
Fan discussions on forums and social media reveal considerable doubts about whether Rohl can turn things around quickly enough. The history of recent Rangers managers who arrived with high hopes only to fall flat on their face is an on-going concern. Pressure is already mounting for immediate improvement, with a difficult schedule ahead including the Europa League away game to Brann, a home match against Kilmarnock, a trip to Easter Road to face Hibernian, and the looming League Cup semi-final at Hampden Park against Celtic.
The Rangers supporters, still reeling from years of instability, are hoping Rohl might be the steady hand that can restore pride and momentum. But the clock is ticking fast. If results don’t improve swiftly, he risks becoming another “messiah” who falls flat and faces the harsh scrutiny of a rabid and unforgiving fan base.
This appointment marks the end of a chaotic managerial search but the beginning of a crucial period for Danny Rohl and Rangers, where immediate results are being demanded by supporters and the club alike. The next few fixtures promise to be a defining moment for this new era at Ibrox. - will the German sink or swim?
